Safety in dynamic 3D healthcare environment

ABSTRACT

A medical safety-system for dynamic 3D healthcare environments, a medical examination system with motorized equipment, an image acquisition arrangement, and a method for providing safe movements in dynamic 3D healthcare environments. The medical safety-system for dynamic 3D healthcare environments includes a detection system, a processing unit, and an interface unit. The detection system includes at least one sensor arrangement to provide depth information of at least a part of an observed scene. The processing unit includes a correlation unit to assign the depth information and a generation unit to generate a 3D free space model to provide the 3D free space model.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO PRIOR APPLICATIONS

This application is the U.S. National Phase application under 35 U.S.C.§ 371 of International Application Serial No. PCT/IB2012/051550, filedon Mar. 30, 2012, which claims the benefit of application Ser. No.11/305,493.6, filed on Apr. 27, 2011 and application Ser. No.11/305,396.1, filed on Apr. 6, 2011. These applications are herebyincorporated by reference herein.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to safety in dynamic 3D healthcareenvironments. The invention in particular relates to a medicalsafety-system for dynamic 3D healthcare environments, a medicalexamination system with motorized equipment, an image acquisitionarrangement, a method for providing safe movements in dynamic 3Dhealthcare environments, a computer program element and a computerreadable medium.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In dynamic 3D healthcare environments, a collision of moving parts withother moving parts or with fixedly arranged, or still standing parts,must be avoided to prevent damages and malfunctioning of the system.Therefore, collision detection or collision warning systems are providedto detect a possible collision situation and to provide the possibilityto stop the present movement. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,578,757describes a device for prevention of collision between a patient tableand an X-ray imaging system in form of a movable C-arm. Anotherpossibility to prevent or detect collisions are sensors provided onmoving parts, which give a warning signal in the case of touchinganother element in order to be able to stop current movement.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It has been shown that collision sensors often limit the possiblemovement speed for dynamic 3D healthcare environments. As a furtherdisadvantage, the adaptability of dynamic 3D healthcare environments canbe limited or requires a cumbersome adaption of a respective collisionprevention system.

Hence, there is a need to provide improved safety in dynamic 3Dhealthcare environments with a facilitated adaptability.

The object of the present invention is solved by the subject-matter ofthe independent claims, wherein further embodiments are incorporated inthe dependent claims.

It should be noted that the following described aspects of the inventionapply also for the medical safety-system for dynamic 3D healthcareenvironments, the medical examination system with motorized equipment,the method for providing safe movements in dynamic 3D healthcareenvironments, the computer program element and the computer-readablemedium.

According to an aspect of the invention, a medical safety-system fordynamic 3D healthcare environments is provided, comprising a detectionsystem, a processing unit, and an interface unit. The detection systemcomprises at least one sensor arrangement adapted to provide depthinformation of at least a part of an observed scene. The processing unitcomprises a correlation unit adapted to correlate the depth information.The processing unit comprises a generation unit adapted to generate a 3Dfree space model. The interface unit is adapted to provide the 3D freespace model.

The term “3D free space model” refers to spatial or volumetric datadefining a space which is free of objects and structures and which canthus be used for movement, for example of a component or an element.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the detectionsystem comprises at least one time-of-flight camera as sensorarrangement.

According to a further exemplary embodiment of the invention, aplurality of sensors is placed in such a way that objects can be seen bymultiple sensors from multiple angles.

According to a second aspect of the invention, a medical examinationsystem with motorized equipment is provided, comprising a motorizedfunctional system and a medical safety-system according to one of theabove described aspects or embodiments. The motorized functional systemcomprises a movable arrangement to perform at least one task. Anadaptable movement restriction device is provided, which is adapted torestrict the movement of the arrangement to movements inside the 3D freespace model provided by the interface unit.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the motorizedfunctional system of the medical examination system is an imageacquisition arrangement with a movable arrangement to acquire image dataof an object from different projections. The image acquisitionarrangement comprises a movable C-arm structure with an X-ray source andan X-ray detector arranged on opposing ends of the C-arm structure. Themovement possibilities of the C-arm structure are limited to the 3D freespace model.

According to a third aspect, a method for providing safe movements indynamic 3D healthcare environments is provided, comprising the followingsteps: In a provision step, depth information of at least a part of anobserved scene is provided. The depth information is correlated in acorrelation step. A 3D free space model is generated in a generationstep. In a second provision step, the 3D free space model is provided.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the 3D free spacemodel is provided to a movable arrangement of a medical examinationsystem with motorized equipment, and the movable arrangement can movefreely within the 3D free space model. For example, movement isrestricted to take place inside the volume defined by the 3D free spacemodel.

According to a further exemplary embodiment of the invention, followingthe second provision step, a calculation step is provided, in which amovement path of a movable arrangement is calculated to be positionedinside the 3D free space model.

According to an embodiment of the invention, free space is detected anda 3D free space model is generated therefrom. The 3D free space modelcan then be used as the possible space in which a movement can bearranged. In particular, no external information about objects probablyhindering a possible movement is needed, since the detection system onlydetects free space as such. The detection system is not coupled to anymovable devices and therefore provides an improved adaptability in caseof changes of the 3D healthcare environment. The generation of a 3D freespace model also allows environments where movements are also influencedby external parameters, for example humanly controlled movements, andwhere the trajectories of a movable element are therefore not completelyknown beforehand.

These and other aspects of the present invention will become apparentfrom and elucidated with reference to the embodiments describedhereinafter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Exemplary embodiments of the invention will be described in thefollowing with reference to the following drawings.

FIG. 1 illustrates a medical safety-system for dynamic 3D healthcareenvironments according to an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIGS. 2 to 5 illustrate further examples of medical safety-systemsaccording to the present invention.

FIG. 6 illustrates a medical examination system with motorized equipmentaccording to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 illustrates a further example of a medical examination systemwith motorized equipment according to the present invention.

FIG. 8 schematically shows basic method steps of a method according tothe present invention for providing safe movements in dynamic 3Dhealthcare environments.

FIGS. 9 and 10 schematically illustrate further examples of methodsaccording to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 shows a medical safety-system 10 for dynamic 3D healthcareenvironments. The medical safety-system 10 comprises a detection system12, a processing unit 14, and an interface unit 16. The detection system12 comprises at least one sensor arrangement 18 which is adapted toprovide depth information of at least a part of an observed scene. InFIG. 1, the observation is schematically illustrated with two dottedlines 20 directed towards a reference numeral 22 representing the sceneto be observed.

The processing unit 14 comprises a correlation unit 24 and a generationunit 26. The correlation unit 24 is adapted to correlate the depthinformation. The generation unit 26 is adapted to generate a 3D freespace model 32.

Further, the interface unit 16 is adapted to provide the 3D free spacemodel.

The at least one sensor arrangement 18 thus provides depth informationto the detection system 12, indicated with a first connection line 28.The depth information is then provided to the processing unit, asindicated with second connection line 30. It must be noted that theconnection lines are schematically shown, and can be provided aswireless connection or as wired connection.

The processing unit 14 is using the depth information in the correlationunit 24 and correlates depth information, for example a number of depthinformation from different space segments. The generation unit thengenerates the 3D free space model from the correlated depth information.The 3D free space model is schematically indicated with referencenumeral 32 inside the box representing the generation unit 26.

It must be noted that the correlation unit 24 and the generation unit 26are schematically shown and can be provided as separate computing unitsor as an integrated part of the processing unit 14. It must be notedfurther, that the detection system 12 and the at least one sensorarrangement 18 can also be provided as an integrated component, forexample also integrated with the processing unit 14 into an integratedsafety unit. Similar applies to the interface unit 16, which can also beprovided in an integrated manner with the processing unit 14.

As indicated with the dotted lines 20, the sensor arrangement 18provides information of a free space, i.e. a space without any materialoccupancy of any object, between the sensor and the detected depth.

For example, the correlation unit 24 reconstructs free space based onthe depth information and the generation unit 26 merges the free spaceinto the 3D free space model 32.

The 3D free space model comprises spatial or volumetric data defining aspace which is free of objects and structures and which can thus be usedfor movement, for example of a component or an element (see below, forexample FIGS. 5 to 8).

For example, in case of missing portions between detected depthinformation, the generation unit 26 can generate so-to-speak virtualdepth data for the missing portions such that a complete volume iscovered with free depth data to generate a 3D free space volume. Forexample, the missing portions can be achieved by interpolation. As afurther example, in case of missing depth information, assumptions canbe provided for certain space areas in which the arrangement ofequipment must be expected and such areas where additional equipment isnot provided with a high probability. For example, an area above tablelevel and distinctly low enough below the ceiling will probably not showany further table arrangement or lighting arrangement.

For example, the at least one sensor or sensor arrangement is adapted tomeasure the free 3D depth structure of at least a part of a volume whichis free for movement.

The environment may be an undefined or not predefined environment, suchas in the case of an operation theatre of a hospital. An undefined ornot predefined environment can also be any other situation in ahealthcare environment, in which the current medical environmentconstantly changes in an unplannable and/or unpredictable manner.

The medical safety-system 10 is adapted to provide real-time 3Dreconstruction of the free space available for movement in form of the3D free space model 32.

Once a 3D free space model 32 has been generated, it is also possible toverify and update the depth information and to adapt the 3D free spacemodel, for example by providing a respective update loop in theprocessing unit triggering the sensor to provide the respective updateinformation and to provide a respectively updated 3D free space model tofurther processing steps, for example via the interface unit 16.

According to a further example, although not shown, the sensor isadapted to provide the depth information as temporal depth informationand the generation unit 26 is adapted to provide a 4D free space model.Such, the interface unit can then provide the 4D free space model. Forexample, the sensor also provides a time signal coupled to the depthinformation such that the processing unit gets the information when therespective depth information is available.

For example, the temporal information can be used for repetitivemovement cycles in the environment itself, for example due to othermovable components.

In FIG. 2, a further example of the detection system 12 is shown. As canbe seen, the detection system 12 comprises at least one time-of-flightcamera 34 as sensor arrangement, which time-of-flight camera obtains andprovides depth images. The depth images are then processed, for example,by a ray-tracing algorithm, where the space between the camera and thedetected depth is declared as free space. With the cameras calibrated tothe origin, these free spaces can be converted to a full free spacemodel of the scene, as described above.

As a so-to-speak principle of a time-of-flight camera, it is indicatedthat the time-of-flight camera 34 emits modulated light 36 and measuresthe phase shift with its receiver as indicated with return arrows 40,which is reflected by object 38. A respective signal 42 is provided fromthe light emitting unit 44 to the light receiving unit 46. This is ofcourse provided for a number of points in space, such that a respectivefree volume 48 between the time-of-flight camera 34 and the object 38can be determined.

For example, the time-of-flight camera 34 uses infrared light.

The time-of-flight camera 34 is adapted to provide depth images and theprocessing unit 14 is adapted to combine a plurality of such depthimages in order to be able to generate the 3D free space model 32 or the4D free space model as mentioned above.

The processing unit 14 may be adapted to transfer the 3D free spacemodel 32 to global space data of an examination laboratory, or aconstruction site or any other spatial situation, for example.

According to a further exemplary embodiment (not shown), the detectionsystem 12 comprises at least one stereovision setup as sensorarrangement in order to provide the respective depth information.

According to a further exemplary embodiment (also not shown), thedetection system 12 comprises at least one structured light setup assensor arrangement.

According to a further exemplary embodiment (also not shown), thedetection system 12 comprises at least one laser setup as sensorarrangement.

FIG. 3 shows a further exemplary embodiment, in which the detectionsystem 12 comprises a plurality 50 of sensors 52 placed in such a waythat objects can be seen by multiple sensors from multiple angles. Forexample, an object 54 is seen from the left side with sensor 52 a, fromthe upper side with sensors 52 b and 52 c, and at least partially fromthe right side from sensor 52 d.

For example, the sensors are provided as plurality of time-of-flightcameras that can be placed in such a way that objects can be seen bymultiple cameras from multiple angles.

For example, the sensors are fixedly arranged and calibrated to theirposition in order to provide the respective depth data facilitating thegeneration of the 3D free space model by the processing unit 14.

The provision of a number of sensors provides the advantage that a 3Dfree space model can be calculated also for areas which would not havebeen detected as free space by a single sensor only, for example becausethey are arranged behind an object acting as a so-to-speak visualbarrier.

FIG. 4 shows a further exemplary embodiment of a medical safety-systemwherein the sensors are movably mounted, for example on a railconstruction 56. The movement possibility is indicated with arrows 58.Of course, the illustratively shown rail construction 56 is only anexample. Of course, any other movable mounting supports, such asrotational movements or combination of movements, are also possible. Forexample, a sensor could be mounted to a ceiling or other upper structurewith a number of movable wire constructions in order to cover a largerarea of a volume arrangement underneath, i.e. to allow movement in thehorizontal direction, as well as being able to be lowered to low heightsin order to provide respective depth information also for areas hiddenbehind obstacles.

According to the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 4, the movement ofthe at least one sensor is detected, as indicated with a detection unit60. The depth information provided by the sensor is then adjusted onbehalf of the detected sensor position. This is indicated by anadjustment arrow 62 entering the detection system box 12. Of course, itis also possible to provide the respective movement information, asprovided by the detection unit 60, to the processing unit 14, asindicated with dotted adjustment arrow 64. This provision of themovement information can be arranged alternatively or in addition to theadjustment arrow 62.

For example, at least a part of the area of reach of the movingapparatus is covered by at least one sensor.

For example, the whole area of reach of the moving apparatus is coveredby a number of sensors.

For example, the moving apparatus is a motorized equipment, for examplea C-arm in a medical examination system, which will be explained furtherbelow.

According to a further aspect of the invention, the processing unit 14can also be adapted to calculate a movement path 66 for a movingapparatus 68, which movement path is located inside the 3D free spacemodel 32 (see also FIG. 5).

With reference to FIG. 5, the moving apparatus 68 is only schematicallyillustrated in a very simplified manner. For example, the detectionsystem 12 detects the dotted outer frame 32 as areas in which free spaceis available for movement such that this free space can be generated asthe 3D free space model 32. Only schematically indicated is, forexample, an object line 70 on the left side of the drawing.

However, it must be noted that according to the present invention, theobject 70, for example, is not in particular necessary for defining the3D free space model. It is rather only necessary to detect certain areaswith depth information representing free volume in which a movement cantake place. Thus, for example on the right side of the figure, arespective object corresponding to the one on the left side is notshown. However, free space was only detected up to the particularboundary of the 3D free space model, and thus the 3D free space modelonly extends across the shown area. However, this does not mean that aparticular object is actually being arranged here, it just means thatthis is the actual space free for movement.

As an example, the interface unit 16 provides the respective informationfor the movement path 66 which is calculated by the processing unit 14to the moving apparatus 68. It must be noted that the movement path 66is provided in addition to the 3D free space model 32, which 3D freespace model acts as a basis for the calculation of the movement path 66itself. However, the 3D free space model 32 is not further shown in thecalculation box as is the case in FIG. 1. The provision of the movementpath 66 is indicated with an arrow 72. The restriction device isindicated with reference numeral 74, arranged in parentheses.

For example, the restriction device 74 can be provided as an actualadaptable hardware component restricting the movement of respectiveparts, and as such acting as limit stops or catches. However, therestriction device 74 can also be provided in form of an electroniccontrol device limiting movement commands sent to the movementcomponents such that the commands only result in movements inside the 3Dfree space model. This can also be provided in form of software, such asa plug-in module for an existing movement control software.

The 3D free space model can be provided to a movable arrangement, suchas the moving apparatus 68, and an adaptable movement restriction devicecan be provided, which is not further shown, which restriction device isadapted to restrict the movement of the movable arrangement to movementsinside the 3D free space model.

FIG. 6 schematically describes an exemplary embodiment of a medicalexamination system 80 with motorized equipment according to theinvention. The medical examination system 80 comprised a motorizedfunctional system 82, and a medical safety-system 10 according to one ofthe above described embodiments. The motorized functional system 82comprises a movable arrangement 84 to perform at least one task. Anadaptable movement restriction device 86 is provided (not furthershown), which is adapted to restrict the movement of the arrangement tomovements inside the 3D free space model provided by the medicalsafety-system 10. The motorized functional system is shown with a threesegments' movable arm structure as an example for illustrationalpurposes only.

Further, the medical safety-system 10 is shown in a simplified mannerwith a rectangular box only and with two dotted lines 88 indicating theabove described detection of depth information. It must be noted thatthe medical safety-system 10 can be provided as any of the abovedescribed examples, or in a combination of two or more of the abovedescribed examples.

The motorized functional system may be an image acquisition device witha movable arrangement to acquire image data of an object from differentprojections.

A medical examination system with motorized equipment can for example bea robot in a healthcare environment with unknown objects which may haveunknown movements, too. Without the medical safety system according tothe invention, this would mostly result in collisions.

As a further example, a medical system with motorized equipment can be aC-arm arrangement or C-arch in an operation theatre in relation withmedical interventions. The C-arch can collide with other equipments orwith the staff members, such as the doctors performing an operation.

According to the invention, a medical safety-system, for example usingtime-of-flight cameras, is provided to find the free space in which therobot or the C-arch can move.

Time-of-flight cameras can give depth information of the observed scene.By using multiple time-of-flight cameras in a scene and correlating theobtained depth information, the free space in the scene can bereconstructed, which finally can be converted into a 3D model of thefree space. Using the information of the position of free spaces,movements with robotic arms or C-arches can be made in the observedscene, without colliding with any objects. Time-of-flight cameras alsohave the advantage that there is no limitation on the structure of theobjects which surface is being detected, and they also work inreal-time.

A further advantage is that the system according to the invention alsoprovides a corporation between the moving equipment and the fixedequipment in relation with the movable components of the system ormotorized equipment, and also in relation with the user, moving in thescene. The movement of speed is also not limited, as is the case with,for example, capacitive and pressure sensors.

Providing the detection of the free spaces, and not the complete 3Denvironments in form of an object structure, limits also the amount ofdata necessary for detecting whether a path of a movable component issafe or not. Also, it is possible to start from a sort of centre pointand to detect whether free space is available around this point. In caseof a situation in which precise information, i.e. depth information isnot available in a sufficient manner, i.e. with a sufficiently highprobability, it is possible to simply neglect this space and topositively define the free space only for those area in which depthinformation positively defines that free space is actually available.Thus, in case of uncertainness, it is not necessary to make anyassumptions, but rather to leave out this particular space to be on thesafe side.

In case of using an infrared light for time-of-flight cameras, thesystem operates independently of light conditions. Further, sincetime-of-flight cameras are capable of capturing depth of at least 25frames per second, it is possible to provide real-time 3Dreconstruction.

A further advantage is that, according to the inventive system, noobject information is needed; the system does in particular not need anyinformation about the volume of an object.

An important advantage is that new objects can be introduced without anyproblems providing a general applicability.

Since the sensors can be freely arranged in the surrounding of theoperation site, a large visible range with respect to detection of freespace is provided. Therewith, path planning of larger path distances ispossible, since the operation is not limited to a line of sight of arobot, for example. In case of the plurality of sensors, the system canlook around objects and calculate a valid path even for those areaswhich, from the point of view of a robot, are not visible in thebeginning of the path.

FIG. 7 shows an example for an examination system 90, for example for anoperation theatre in a hospital. The motorized functional system is animage acquisition arrangement 92 with a movable arrangement 94 toacquire image data of an object 96, for example a patient, fromdifferent projections. The image acquisition arrangement 92 comprises aC-arm structure 98 with an X-ray source 100 and an X-ray detector 102arranged on opposing ends of the C-arm structure. The movementpossibilities of the C-arm structure are limited to the 3D free spacemodel 32, which is not further shown in FIG. 7.

Further, a patient table 104 is shown to support the object of interest96. Still further, a display arrangement 106 is shown in the vicinity ofthe table 104 as well as a lighting device 108. Further, a controlstation 110 is indicated in the foreground with displays and interfacedevices for controlling the examination system 90.

Further, a medical safety-system according to one of the above describedexamples is provided, of which only the sensors are shown as a pluralityof sensors 112 arranged above and at the sides of the examination table104. The sensors provide depth information of at least a part of theobserved scene. The processing unit of the detection system can beprovided in an integrated manner with the control station 110 of theexamination system 90.

For example, a number of the sensors, indicated with index f is shown ina fixedly arranged manner at fixed points in the area of the ceiling.Further, movable detectors indicated with index m are provided, forexample on moving parts such as the C-arm or the display arrangement.They also provide depth information, however in combination with theircurrent situation in space, which is provided, for example, by positiondetection systems which are arranged anyway in order to provideinformation about the current status of the C-arm, or also the displayarrangement.

Once the sensors have detected sufficient depth information, the 3D freespace model is generated as described above and then supplied to theC-arm structure. Thus, the movement possibilities of the C-arm structureare limited to the 3D free space model in order to avoid collision ofthe C-arm structure with any of the above described components.

Due to the inventive medical safety-system, it is possible to arrangeadditional equipment in the vicinity of the table 104. Then, uponchanging the equipment or other objects in the surrounding of the table,an update can be performed to achieve an updated 3D free space model.This can then be used for determining the movement paths of the C-armstructure for the image acquisition procedure.

The update can be provided continuously or with a predetermined timeinterval. The update can also be triggered manually.

With the position and orientation of a movable component, e.g. a robot,known in the environment, future movements of the component can becalculated.

The 3D free space model can be used, for example, for determining amovement path in space, such as when acquiring three-dimensional X-rayimage information from a patient 96.

In addition to that, or alternatively, the 3D free space model can beused also for a free movement of the C-arm structure, for example by anoperational staff, for example a surgeon, trying to find a specific viewof a patient. Therefore, the user can control the movement of the C-armstructure in a free manner, however, the movement is then automaticallyrestricted to the available space in form of the 3D free space model.Thus, the user is provided with a facilitated way of handling the C-arm,since it is no longer necessary to especially look for possiblecollision situations. Rather, the user can move the C-arm as he or shewants, since it is assured that a collision is avoided, due to limitingthe movement possibilities to the generated 3D free space model.

It must be noted that the restriction of the movement possibilities canbe provided, as mentioned above, in form of hardware components,actually limiting the movement, or in form of software means,restricting the respective movement commands to lie inside the 3D freespace model.

As a further option, it is also possible to adapt a pre-calculatedmovement path of the C-arm structure, or any other imaging modality withmovable components, such that the adaptive path then lies inside the 3Dfree space model. For example, this can be necessary in case ofadditional medical equipment, which has not been considered whencomputing the initial movement path.

It must be noted that any other collision warning systems, such assensors, may not be necessary any more.

FIG. 8 schematically describes a method 200 for providing safe movementsin dynamic 3D healthcare environments. The following steps are provided:In a first provision step 210, depth information 212 of at least a partof an observed scene is provided. Next, in a correlation step 214, thedepth information is correlated. Then, in a generation step 216, a 3Dfree space model 218 is generated. Further, in a second provision step220, the 3D free space model 218 is provided. It is noted that above,the 3D free space model 218 has also been referred to with referencenumeral 32.

Is must be noted that the first provision step 210 is also referred toas step a), the correlation step 214 as step b), the generation step 216as step c), and the second provision step 220 as step d).

The 3D free space model 218 can be provided to a movable arrangement,and the movable arrangement can then move freely within the 3D freespace model.

According to the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 9, following stepd), a step e) is provided as calculation step 222, in which a movementpath 224 of a movable arrangement is calculated to be positioned insidethe 3D free space model 218. The movement path 224 may be, for example,the movement path 66 in FIG. 5.

FIG. 10 shows a further exemplary embodiment of the method according tothe invention, in which depth information is provided as temporal depthinformation 212 t, wherein the provision step is indicated withreference numeral 210 t. For example, a time signal 226 is provided by atime provision sub-step 228. For example, the time signal 226 can beprovided directly to the first provision step 210 t, as indicated withfirst provision arrow 230 in a straight line. However, it is alsopossible, in addition or alternatively, to provide the time signal 226also to the generation step c), as indicated with dotted secondprovision arrow 232.

Thus, step b) comprises the correlation of the temporal depthinformation, which is why the correlation step is indicated withreference numeral 214 t.

In step c), a 4D free space model 234 is generated, i.e. the step c) isa temporal generation step 236. The 4D free space model 234 is thenprovided in a provision step, referred to as provision step 220 t.

It is noted that in case of providing the temporal information 226, orthe time signal, only in step c), i.e. in the generation step 236, theabove mentioned steps a) and b) are of course referred to as provisionstep 210 and correlation step 214, i.e. without the index t.

It must be noted that the above described exemplary embodiments of amethod can be combined in different ways.

The term “healthcare” relates to all fields in which medicalexamination, medical treatment, medical intervention and the like areprovided, for example in hospitals, doctor's practice etc. Healthcarerelates also to diagnostic, as well as to the treatment and theprevention of injury, disease, or illness. The term “medical” definesthe relation to the field of medicine.

In another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a computerprogram or a computer program element is provided that is characterizedby being adapted to execute the method steps of the method according toone of the preceding embodiments, on an appropriate system.

The computer program element might therefore be stored on a computerunit, which might also be part of an embodiment of the presentinvention. This computing unit may be adapted to perform or induce aperforming of the steps of the method described above. Moreover, it maybe adapted to operate the components of the above described apparatus.The computing unit can be adapted to operate automatically and/or toexecute the orders of a user. A computer program may be loaded into aworking memory of a data processor. The data processor may thus beequipped to carry out the method of the invention.

This exemplary embodiment of the invention covers both, a computerprogram that right from the beginning uses the invention and a computerprogram that by means of an up-date turns an existing program into aprogram that uses the invention.

Further on, the computer program element might be able to provide allnecessary steps to fulfil the procedure of an exemplary embodiment ofthe method as described above.

According to a further exemplary embodiment of the present invention, acomputer readable medium, such as a CD-ROM, is presented wherein thecomputer readable medium has a computer program element stored on itwhich computer program element is described by the preceding section.

A computer program may be stored and/or distributed on a suitablemedium, such as an optical storage medium or a solid state mediumsupplied together with or as part of other hardware, but may also bedistributed in other forms, such as via the internet or other wired orwireless telecommunication systems.

However, the computer program may also be presented over a network likethe World Wide Web and can be downloaded into the working memory of adata processor from such a network. According to a further exemplaryembodiment of the present invention, a medium for making a computerprogram element available for downloading is provided, which computerprogram element is arranged to perform a method according to one of thepreviously described embodiments of the invention.

It has to be noted that embodiments of the invention are described withreference to different subject matters. In particular, some embodimentsare described with reference to method type claims whereas otherembodiments are described with reference to the device type claims.However, a person skilled in the art will gather from the above and thefollowing description that, unless otherwise notified, in addition toany combination of features belonging to one type of subject matter alsoany combination between features relating to different subject mattersis considered to be disclosed with this application. However, allfeatures can be combined providing synergetic effects that are more thanthe simple summation of the features.

While the invention has been illustrated and described in detail in thedrawings and foregoing description, such illustration and descriptionare to be considered illustrative or exemplary and not restrictive. Theinvention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments. Other variationsto the disclosed embodiments can be understood and effected by thoseskilled in the art in practicing a claimed invention, from a study ofthe drawings, the disclosure, and the dependent claims.

In the claims, the word “comprising” does not exclude other elements orsteps, and the indefinite article “a” or “an” does not exclude aplurality. A single processor or other unit may fulfil the functions ofseveral items re-cited in the claims. The mere fact that certainmeasures are re-cited in mutually different dependent claims does notindicate that a combination of these measures cannot be used toadvantage. Any reference signs in the claims should not be construed aslimiting the scope.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A medical safety-system for dynamic 3Dhealthcare environments, comprising: a detection system comprising atleast one image capture device; processing circuitry; and an interface;wherein the detection system is configured to provide dynamic depthinformation of a free space of at least a part of an observed scenebased on images captured by the at least one image capture device, thefree space being a space of the observed scene free of objects andstructures and useable for movement of medical equipment, and whereinthe observed scene includes a plurality of fixed and movable medicalequipment, wherein the processing circuitry comprises a correlationcircuit configured to assign the dynamic depth information, and whereinthe processing circuitry comprises a 3D image generation circuitconfigured to generate a dynamic 3D free space model comprising spatialor volumetric data corresponding to the observed scene based onpositions of the plurality of fixed and movable medical equipment in theimages captured by the least one image capture device, and wherein theprocessing circuitry is configured to define a bounded movement area fora movable medical equipment in the observed scene based on the dynamic3D free space model, wherein the interface is configured to provide thedynamic 3D free space model to the movable medical equipment in theobserved scene, and wherein the dynamic 3D free space model isconfigured such that any space which is free space is accessible to themovable medical equipment from any current position within the boundedmovement area in the observed scene based on the images captured by theat least one image capture device.
 2. The medical safety-systemaccording to claim 1, wherein the detection system comprises at leastone time-of-flight camera.
 3. The medical safety-system according toclaim 1, wherein the detection system comprises a plurality of imagecapture devices placed in such a way that objects can be seen bymultiple image capture devices from multiple angles.
 4. The medicalsafety-system according to claim 1, wherein the at least one imagecapture device is movably mounted; and wherein movement of the at leastone image capture device is detected and wherein the dynamic depthinformation is adjusted on behalf of a detected image capture deviceposition.
 5. The medical safety-system according to claim 1, wherein theprocessing circuitry is adapted to modify a movement path for themovable medical equipment, such that the modified movement path islocated entirely within the bounded movement area.
 6. The medicalsafety-system according to claim 1: wherein the movable medicalequipment is moved by a motor; and the movable medical equipmentincludes an adaptable movement stopper adapted to restrict movement ofthe movable medical equipment to movements anywhere within the boundedmovement area.
 7. The medical safety-system according to claim 6,further comprising an image acquisition system configured to acquireimage data of an object from different projections; and wherein theimage acquisition system comprises a movable C-arm structure with anX-ray source and an X-ray detector arranged on opposing ends of theC-arm structure; wherein the adaptable movement stopper is configured tolimit movement possibilities of the C-arm structure to the boundedmovement area.
 8. The medical safety-system according to claim 1,wherein the dynamic 3D free space model represents only the free spaceof the observed scene.
 9. The medical safety-system according to claim1, wherein the processing circuitry is configured to update the dynamic3D free space model based on the images captured by the least one imagecapture device to adapt the dynamic 3D free space model based onmovement of the movable medical equipment in the observed scene.
 10. Amethod for providing safe movements in dynamic 3D healthcareenvironments, the method comprising: determining depth information of afree space of at least a part of an observed scene based on imagescaptured by at least one image capture device, the free space being aspace of the observed scene free of objects and structures and useablefor movement of medical equipment, wherein the observed scene includes aplurality of fixed and movable medical equipment; assigning the depthinformation; generating a dynamic 3D free space model comprising spatialor volumetric data based on positions of the plurality of fixed andmovable medical equipment based on the images captured by the at leastone image capture device; defining a bounded movement area for movablemedical equipment in the observed scene based on the dynamic 3D freespace model; and providing the dynamic 3D free space model to themovable medical equipment, wherein the dynamic 3D free space model isconfigured such that any space which is free space is accessible to themovable medical equipment from any current position within the boundedmovement area in the observed scene based on the images captured by theat least one image capture device.
 11. The method according to claim 10,comprising providing the dynamic 3D free space model to a movablearrangement of a medical examination system with a motor, and freelymoving the movable arrangement anywhere within the bounded movementarea.
 12. The method according to claim 10, comprising modifying amovement path of the movable medical equipment to be positioned entirelyinside the bounded movement area.
 13. The method according to claim 10,wherein the depth information is provided as temporal depth information;and wherein a 4D free space model is generated and provided based on thetemporal depth information.
 14. The method according to claim 10,wherein the dynamic 3D free space model represents only the free spaceof the observed scene.
 15. The method according to claim 10, furthercomprising updating the dynamic 3D free space model based on the imagescaptured by the least one image capture device to adapt the dynamic 3Dfree space model based on movement of the movable medical equipment inthe observed scene.
 16. A non-transitory computer readable medium havingstored thereon a program for controlling a medical apparatus, theprogram comprising instructions which, when being executed by aprocessor, cause the processor to: determine depth information of a freespace of at least a part of an observed scene, the free space being aspace of the observed scene free of objects and structures and useablefor movement of medical equipment, wherein the observed scene includes aplurality of fixed and movable medical equipment; assign the depthinformation; generate a dynamic 3D free space model comprising spatialor volumetric data based on positions of the plurality of fixed andmovable medical equipment from images captured by at least one imagecapture device; define a bounded movement area for movable medicalequipment in the observed scene based on the dynamic 3D free spacemodel; and provide the dynamic 3D free space model to the movablemedical equipment, wherein the dynamic 3D free space model is configuredsuch that any space which is free space is accessible to the movablemedical equipment from any current position within the bounded movementarea in the observed scene based on the images captured by the at leastone image capture device.
 17. The non-transitory computer readablemedium of claim 16, wherein the dynamic 3D free space model representsonly the free space of the observed scene.
 18. The non-transitorycomputer readable medium of claim 16, wherein the program furthercomprises instructions that when executed by the processor cause theprocessor to update the dynamic 3D free space model based on the imagescaptured by the least one image capture device to adapt the dynamic 3Dfree space model based on movement of the movable medical equipment inthe observed scene.